Camera shutter which also functions as a diaphragm



G. KIPER Nov. 12, 1968 CAMERA SHUTTER WHICH ALSO FUNCTIONS AS ADIAPHRAGM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Sept. 30. 1964 INVENTOR. GERDKIPER )ficlna/ J. Kiri tar- G KIPER Nov. 12, 1968 CAMERA SHUTTER WHICHALSO FUNCTIONS AS A DIAPHRAGM 3 Sheets$heet 2 Original Filed Sept. 50.1964 Fig.4

R m, ER m mm D R E G G. KIPER Nov. 12, 1968 CAMERA SHUTTER WHICH ALSOFUNCTIONS AS A DIAPHRAGM 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Sept. 30. 1964IN V EN TOR. GERD KIPER No'alaa J: .rf i/ar United States Patent 16Claims. in. 95-10 This application is a continuation of application Ser.No. 400,539, filed Sept. 30, 1964, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to cameras.

More particularly, the present invention relates to shutters of camerasand especially to that type of shutter which is also capable offunctioning as a diaphragm.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide for ashutter of this type a construction which renders it extremelyconvenient to accurately control both the exposure time and the size ofthe aperture.

In particular it is an object of the present invention to provide astructure which is capable of regulating the instant when the closing ofthe shutter starts so as to control in this way not only the exposuretime but also the size of the aperture.

Furthermore, it is an 'object of the present invention to provide for aconstruction of the above type an extremely wide range of adjustments sothat, for example, even relatively large exposure times can be combinedwith-relatively large apertures, and at the same time extremely smallexposure times and apertures can also be provided.

It is in particular an object of the present invention to provide astructure of the above type which is automatically adjustable forproviding a proper exposure according to the lighting conditions.

Furthermore it is anobject of the present invention to provide astructure of the above type which lends itself to manual adjustment.

The objects of the present invention also include the provision of aconstruction which is extremely simple as well as very rugged andreliable in operation.

With these Objects in view the invention includes, in a camera, aplurality of shutter blades anda pair of coaxial shutter ring meanswhichare operatively connected tothe shutter blades for opening andclosing them. One of the shutter ring means is a leading ring meanswhich returns from a cooked position to a rest position in advance ofthe other of the ring means, which is a trailing ring means, so that inthis way the shutter blades can be opened to make an exposure. Thetrailing ring means, when it follows the leading ring means to its restposition, returns the blades to their closed position. In accordancewith the present invention a first retarding means is operativelyconnected to the leading ring means for retarding the return thereof toits rest position during the entire return movement of this leading ringmeans. Also, the structure of the invention includes an adjustablesecond retarding means which is operatively connected to the trailingring means for retardingthe release thereof,-for return from a cocked toa rest position, to an extent which is adjustable for releasing thetrailing ring means before, at, or after the end of the return movementof the leading ring means.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary partly schematic elevational view of onepossible embodiment of a shutter structure according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a graphic illustration of the operation of the structure ofFIG. 1 at one setting thereof;

FIG. 3 is a graphic illustration of the operation of the structure ofFIG. 1 at another setting thereof;

FIG. 4 is a partly sectional elevation of another embodiment of astructure according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a partly sectional fragmentary elevation of a still furtherembodiment of a structure according to the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated therein a shutter whichincludes a pair of shutter rings 1 and 2, and these rings are supportedfor independent coaxial turning movement relative to each other as wellas together. The illustrated shutter also includes a pair of shutterblades 3 and 4 which are pivotally connected with the ring 2 by a pairof pins 5 so that the blades 3 and 4 can turn about the pins 5 relativeto the ring 2. Although only a pair of shutter blades are illustrated,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to a structurewhich includes only a pair of shutter blades and can also be applied toshutters which include more than a pair of shutter blades. The shutterring 1 also carries a pair of pins 6, and these pins 6 respectivelyextend into slots 7 and 8 which are respectively formed in the shutterblades 3 and 4. Thus, with this construction when the rings 1 and 2 turntogether, so that there is no relative movement therebetween, the bladeswill not turn relative to each other and they will remain in a closedposition, for example, while when one of the rings turns relative to theother the blades will be displaced either from a closed to an openposition or from an open to a closed position.

The shutter of FIG. 1 is illustrated in its cocked position where theblades of course overlap each other and extend completely across theopening 9 through which an exposure is made, so that the shutter isclosed in the cocked position illustrated in FIG. 1.

The ring 1 is a leading ring means which returns from the illustratedcocked position to its rest position in advance of the ring 2, which isa trailing ring means, so that in this way the turning of the ring 1relative to the ring 2 will cause the blades to turn and thus theshutter Willbe opened in order to make an exposure. The trailing ringmeans then foliows the leading ring means to its rest position, and thenthe rings 1 and 2 resume the illustrated angular position relative toeach other, so that the blades are again closed.

A spring 10 is operatively connected with the leading ring 1 urging thelatter to its rest position, and a spring 11 is operatively connectedwith the trailing ring 2 for urging the latter to return to its restposition, these rings turning in the direction of the arrow a, shown inFIG. 1, during return of the rings from their cooked to their restpositions. The leading ring-1 carries an inwardly directed projection 12which engages a stationary stop member 13 in order to limit the turningof the ring 1 by the spring 10, and in this way the rest position of thering 1 is determined, and the trailing ring 2 has an outwardly directedprojection 14 engaging the projection 12 so that by engaging this latterprojection 12 when the latter engages the projection 13 the restposition of the trailing ring 2 is also determined.

In accordance with one of the features of the present invention theleading ring 1 has a part of its periphery provided with gear teeth 15which mesh with a pinion 16 which is coaxially fixed with an escapementwheel 17, and the pinion 16 and escapement wheel 17 are both supportedfor rotary movement by 'a stationary shaft 18.

The supporting wall of the shutter housing not only supports the shaft18 on which elements 1 6 and 17 are mounted for rotation, but alsosupports for pivotal movement the escapement anchor 19 which cooperateswith the escapement wheel 17. Thus, the parts 16-19 form a retardingmeans which retards the return of the leading ring 1 to its restposition by the spring 10, and the design 'of the retarding means 16-19is such that the ring 1 is retarded in a, substantially uniform mannerthroughout its entire return movement from its cocked position to itsrest position in the direction of the arrow (1.

The trailing ring means 2 includes an arm 20 which projectssubstantially radially from the ring 2, and a second, adjustableretarding means of the present invention cooperates with this arm 20 ofthe trailing ring means 2. The adjustable retarding means includes anelongated retarding lever 22 which at one end has a projection 21situated in the path of movement of the projection 20 of the ring 2 whenthe latter seeks to return to its rest position under the action of thespring means 11. The retarding lever 22 is supported for rotary movementby a stationary shaft 23. That end of the lever 22 which is providedwith the projection 21 which is situated in the path of movement of theprojection 20 is also provided with a plurality of gear teeth 24arranged along a circle whose center is in the axis of turning of thepivot pin 23, and this gear sector 24 meshes with a pinion 25 which iscoaxially fixed with a rotary mass 26 which together with the pinion 25are mounted for free rotary movement on the stationary pin 27 which iscarried by the transverse wall of the shutter supporting structure. Theend of the retarding lever 22 which is distant from the pinion 25carries a pin 28 which is adapted to cooperate with a camming edge of anadjustable exposure-determining cam 30. A spring 29 is coiled about thepin 23 and has free ends respectively engaging a pin carried by thelever 22 and a stationary pin of the shutter so that the spring 29 urgesthe retarding lever 22 in a direction opposite to that indicated by thearrow d in FIG. 1. The schematically and fragmentarily illustratedcontrolling cam 30 is preferably a part of an unillustrated adjustingring which is accessible to the operator for adjusting the exposure.This adjusting ring can be turned by hand :and can cooperate with ascale of exposure values, so that in this way it is possible to select aposition of the ring 30 which will provide a given exposure. However,instead of adjusting the ring 30 by hand it is also possible to turn thering 30 in response to movement of a scanning mechanism into engagementwith the pointer which is connected to the moving coil of a galvanometerwhich responds to the lighting conditions in a manner well known in theart, so that in this way the structure can also be automatically set inaccordance with the lighting conditions.

A cocking lever 31 is accessible to the operator for cocking theshutter, and this cocking lever -31 has an inner free end 31a which isadapted to engage a pin 32 fixedly carried by the leading ring 1 inorder to turn the latter in a direction opposite to that indicated bythe arrow at. The outer end of the lever 31, which is supported forrotary movement by a stationary pivot pin 33, extends through a slot 34of the shutter housing to the exterior where the outer end of the lever31 is accessible to the operator, this slot 34 being formed in the outerwall 35 of the shutter housing. A spring 36 is coiled about the pin 33and respectively engages pins carried by the stationary shutter wall andthe lever 31 for urging the latter to turn in a direction opposite tothe indicated by the arrow b in FIG. 1. The lever 31 is turned in thedirection of the arrow b in order to cock the shutter.

The structure also includes a release lever 38 supported for turningmovement by a stationary pin 37 and urged by spring 41 in the directionof the arrow 0 shown in FIG. 1, this lever 38 having a free endextending through a slot 40 of the wall 35, so that in this way thelever 38 is accessible to the operator. The inner end 3811 of the lever38 is adapted to cooperate with a notch 39 formed in the outer peripheryof the leading ringl, for retaining this leading ring 1, in oppositionto the spring 10, in its cocked position illustrated in FIG. 1.

Assuming now that the parts are cocked, as shown in FIG. 1, and that theoperator now turns the release lever 38 in a direction opposite to thatindicated by the arrow 0, then the end 38a of the lever 38 will moveoutof the notch 39 so as to release the ring l'which now can be returned bythe spring 10 to its rest position. However, the return movement of thering 1 from its illustrated cocked position to its rest position iscontinuously retarded throughout the entire return movement thereof bythe retarding means 16-19.

Of course, at the instant when the ring 1 is released for return to itsrest position the spring 11 also seeks to return the ring 2 to its restposition, but at this time, -although the projection 14 is free tofollow the projection 12, the adjustable retarding means comes into playfor preventing the return of the trailing ring 2 together with theleading ring 1. Directly after the release of the ring 2, its arm 20engages the projection 21 of the retarding lever 22, and before the ring2 can return to its rest position the arm 20 of the ring 2 must turn thelever 22 in opposition to the spring 29 through a distance sufficient topermit the outer periphery of the projection 20 to slide along the innerend of the projection 21, and in the .rest position of the parts theinner end of the projection 21 engages the outer periphery of theprojection 20, so that when the shutter is cocked this projection 20moves beyond the projection 21 so as to release the lever 22 to theforce of the spring 29. Before the spring 11 can displace the ring 2 andthe projection 20 through the small angular distance required to situatethe inner end of the nose 21 in engagement with the outer periphery ofthe projection 20, it is necessary for the spring 11 to overcome theretarding force of the second retarding means which retards the trailingring means 2. Thus, this latter adjustable retarding means 22-26prevents the ring 2 from returning to its rest position for apredetermined period of time. This latter period of time depends 'uponthe adjustment of the adjustable retarding means 22-26. It is possiblefor the cam 30 of course to have a position such as that shown in FIG.1, where almost the entire length of the projection 21 overlaps theprojection 20, so that with this setting a relatively great retarding ofthe ring 2 is provided. However, if the camming ring 30 is adjusted sothat only a small portion of the projection 21 overlaps the projection20, then a relatively short retarding of the ring 2 will result.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the manner in which the structure ofFIG. 1 operates is graphically illustrated in these figures for twodifferent settings of the ring or cam 30, respectively.

In the graphs of FIGS. 2 and 3 the abscissa represents the time whichhas elapsed from the moment when the ring 1 is released for return toits rest position, and the ordinate represents the angles through whichthe rings 1 and 2 turn, the angle a representing the angular turning ofthe ring 1, while the angle [3 represents the angular distance throughwhich the ring 2 turns.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that this graph illustrates theoperation for an intermediate degree of retarding action provided by theadjustment of the retarding retarding means 2226, the return of the ring2 to its through which the ring 1 turns during its return to its restposition constantly increases in a uniform manner until the point A isreached, and this point represents the instant when the ring 1 hasreturned to its rest position so that the ring 1 stops turning when itreaches the point A. On the other hand, with this intermediate settingof the retarding means 22-23, the return of the ring 2 to its startingposition is of course retarded, and the dotted line [3 indicates theoperation of the ring 2. As may be seen from FIG. 2 initially the ring 2turns through only an extremely small angle, and this is the relativelysmall almost negligible angle through which the ring 2 turns while itsarm remains in engagement with theprojection 21. However, at the instantwhen the retarding means 22-26 is overcome, which is to say when theouter periphery of the arm 20 reaches the inner end of the projection21, the ring 2 will be suddenly released to the full force of the spring11 which will now return the ring 2 to its starting position withoutsubstantially any restraint on the movement of the ring 2 at this time,and the moment when the retarding means 22-26 releases the ring 2 isillustrated at the point B in FIG. 2, and it will be seen that beyondthis point B the angular distance [3 through which the ring 2 turns verysuddenly increases, until the ring 2 reaches its rest position.

Of course, when the ring 2 reaches its rest position the shutter bladeswill again be closed, and the instant when the shutter closes isindicated at the point C of the curve a,8 which is shown in dot-dashlines. This curve a-;8 of course indicates the extent to which theblades are turned so as to provide the exposure aperture, and of courseit is clear that with the setting of FIG. 2 the exposure aperture willhave an intermediate magnitude indicated by the curve ot-,B.

Coming now to FIG. 3, the same operations as those of FIG. 2 areillustrated for a setting of the retarding means 2226 which provides amuch smaller retarding action than that of FIG. 1. With the settingwhich provides the diagram of FIG. 3 the projection 21 overlaps the arm20 to only a small degree. The leading ring 1 of course still operatesin the same way as in FIG. 2, so that the curve a is the same as that ofFIG. 2 and of course at the point A the ring 1 has reached its restposition. However, because of the smaller retarding force the ring 2 isreleased by the retarding means at the point D in FIG. 3 and then veryquickly turns to join the ring 1 in its return movement to the point A.At the point E in FIG. 3 the projection 14 of the trailing ring 2 hasreached the projection 12 of the leading ring 1, and now of course theshutter is fully closed and the rings 1 and 2 turn together from thepoint E to the point A so that the shutter remains closed. It isapparent, therefore, that while the exposure time with the setting ofFIG. 3 is less than that of FIG. 2, also the aperture has been reduced.This is immediately apparent from comparing the curves a-fl of FIG. 3with that of FIG. 2. It is thus clear from the diagrams of FIGS. 2 and 3that with the adjustable retarding means 22-26 it is possible to provideany desired exposure time, although with the relatively long exposuretimes, which can be extended beyond the time when the ring 1 reaches itsrest position, the aperture will of course be fully open. In other wordsat any setting where the trailing ring 2 does not start to return towardits rest position until after the leading ring 1 has reached its restposition, the shutter will necessarily provide the largest possibleexposure aperture.

After an exposure has been completed in the abovedescribed manner withthe embodiment of FIG. 1, the lever 31 is turned by the operator in thedirection of the arrow b in order to cock the shutter in preparation formaking the next exposure. The inner end 31a of the arm 31 will nowengage the pin 32 so as to turn the leading ring 1 in opposition to thespring 10 in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow at.Because the projection 14 is in the path of turning of the projection 12the trailing ring 2 will necessarily turn with the ring 1 at this timeso that the spring 11 is also tensioned. When the rings 1 and 2 reachtheir cocked positions, and it should be noted that at this time sincethere is no relative turning between these rings the shutter bladesremain'in their closed position, the inner end 38a of the release lever38 is urged by the spring 41 in the direction of the arrow c into thenotch 39, so that the return of the rings 1 and 2 back to their restpositions is prevented until the operator turns the release lever 38 ina direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow 0, so as to repeatthe operations described above.

When the operator releases the cocking lever 31 it is returned by thespring 36 to the illustrated rest position of the cocking lever.

According to the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated inFIG. 4, there is also a pair of shutter rings 50 and 51, and in thiscase it is the inner shutter ring 50 which is the leading ring while theouter shutter ring 51 is the trailing ring. The inner ring 50 ispivotally connected by pivot pins 52 with the pair of shutter blades 54and 55, and the outer or trailing ring 51 is connected by pins 53 withthe shutter blades, these pins 53 respective extending into slots of theshutter blades. Here again it is to be understood that the invention isby no means limited to a shutter which includes only a pair of shutterblades. The leading ring 50 is provided with an outwardly directedprojection 56 which, by engagement with a stationary slot member 57,determines the rest position of the ring 50 under the action of thespring 58 which urges the ring 50 in the direction of the arrow e to itsrest position. The trailing ring 51 has an inwardly directed projection59 overlapping the projection 56, and in the cocked position of theshutter which is shown in FIG. 4 the projection 59 engages theprojection 56. A spring 60 urges the trailing ring 51 to turn in thedirection of the arrow e.

As was the case with the embodiment of FIG. 1, the leading ring 50 isprovided with teeth 61 at its outer periphery, and these teeth mesh witha pinion 62 which is coaxially fixed with an escapement wheel 63 whichmeshes with an escapement anchor 65, the coaxial elements 62 and 63being supported for rotary movement by a stationary shaft 64, so thatthis embodiment also includes a retarding means which is operativelyconnected with the leading ring 50 for retaining the latter in asubstantially uniform manner throughout its return movement.

In order to cock and release the shutter of FIG. 4, there is availableto the operator a cocking and releasing lever 67 which is supported forturning movement by a stationary pin 66 and which has an arm 68extending through a slot 69 in the outer shutter housing wall 70 to theexterior thereof so as to be accessible to the operator. Thus, theoperator can actuate the lever 67 by hand.

This lever 67 carries a pin 71 on which a swing-lever 72 is supportedfor rotary movement, and a spring 73 is coiled about the pin 71 andengages pins carried by the lever 72 and the lever 67 for urging thelever 72 to turn in a clockwise direction about the pin 71, as viewed inFIG. 4 so that the spring 73 releasably maintains the edge portion 72aof the lever 72 in engagement with the pivot pin 66 for the lever 67. Aspring 74 is coiled about the pin 66 and engages a stationary pin and apin carried by the lever 67 so as to urge the latter to turn in aclockwise direction, opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow fin FIG. 4. When the operator turns the lever 67 in the direction of thearrow 1, the free end of the lever 72 engages a pin 75 carried by theleading ring 50, so that this ring 50 will be turned in opposition tothe spring 58 in a direction opposite to that indicated by arrow e, andof course the trailing ring 51 will also be turned at this time inopposition to the spring 60, so that in this way the rings 50 and 51 aredisplaced from their rest toward their cocked positions by turning ofthe lever 67 in the direction of the arrow f.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 also includes an adjustable retarding means foradjustably determning the instant when the trailing ring 51 will bereleased for return to its rest'position, and in this embodiment theadjustable retarding means is electrical. This adjustable retardingmeans includes the circuit 76 in which a source of current 77, a switch78, and a photosensitive resistor 79 as Well as a capacitor 79a areconnected in series. The

source of current 77 can be in the form of a battery or a miniaturecell. Preferably the source 77 is situated in the interior of the cameraand the photosensitive resistor 79 is situated at the front end of thecamera so as to be exposed through a suitable window or the like to thelight to which the camera itself is exposed. Connected in parallel withthe series connected resistor 79 and capacitor 79a is a relay 80 whichincludes an armature 81a in the form of a holding pawl 81 supported forturning movement on a stationary pivot and having a free end 82 whichcooperates with a shoulder 83 formed at the periphery of the trailingring 51 for preventing return of the latter to its rest position untilthe end 82 of the pawl 81 is displaced away from the shoulder 83. Thearm 81b of the pawl 80 carries a stationary pin which is engaged by aspring 84 which is coiled about the pivot of the pawl and which engagesa stationary pin so as to urge the pawl 81 in a clockwise direction,opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow g, into engagement withthe stop 85, and the armature portion 81a of the pawl 81 is shown inengagement with the stop 85 in FIG. 4.

The switch 78 is a normally open switch which due to its own resiliencyseeks in and of itself to remain in its open position. In order to closethe switch 78 the leading ring 50 is provided with a projecting portion86 which during the cocking of the shutter engages the switch 78 so asto close the latter just before the ring 50 is released for return toits rest position. It is to be noted that with the shutter of FIG. 4 theoperator turns the cocking lever 67 in the direction of the arrow funtil the inner free end of the swing lever 72 rides off the pin 75whereupon the shutter is released to make an exposure. Thus, as theoperator turns the cocking lever 67, the projection 86 of the ring 50will approach the switch 78 and just before the tip of the lever 72reaches and rides off the pin 75 the projection 86 will momentarilyclose the switch 78. In the position of the parts shown in FIG. 4, theprojection 86 has just closed the switch 78 and the relay 80 is about toattract the armature portion 81a of the pawl 81 so as to move the pawltooth 82 into engagement with the shoulder 83, but because of the veryslight delay in the response of the relay 80 to the closing of theswitch 78 the parts are shown in FIG. 4 in that instantaneous positionthey take just after the switch 78 is closed but just before thearmature 81 has turned in the direction of the arrow g to the coil ofthe relay 80 so as to place the tooth 82 in engagement with the shoulder83.

In order to make an exposure with the embodiment of FIG. 4, the operatorturns the cocking and release lever 67 in the direction of the arrow 7,so that the lever 72 engages pin 75 and turns both of the rings 50 and51 in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow e. In this waythe spring 58 and 60 are simultaneously tensioned. At the end of thecocking movement, the projection 86 of the leading ring 50 engages andcloses the switch 78. The circuit 76 is therefore closed and thecapacitor 79a becomes charged. Also, the relay 80 becomes energized andturns the pawl 81 in the direction of the arrow g so that the tooth 82engages the shoulder 83 to hold the trailing ring 51 against returnmovement from its cocked position.

The continued turning of the lever 68 by the operator causes the lever72 to ride off the pin 75 so that the leading ring 50 is now releasedwhile the trailing ring 51 is retained in its cocked position, and theturning of the ring 50 with respect to the ring 51 will of course openthe shutter blades. The retarding means 61-65 operates at this time toconstantly and uniformly retard the return movement of the leading ring50 throughout its entire return movement, by the spring 58. Immediatelyafter the ring 50 starts its return movement the switch 78 opens and theflow of current in the circuit 76 is terminated. The shunt resistor 79,however, delays the deenergizing of the relay 80 because thecompensating current of the shunt circuit flows through the relay coil.The time required for the relay to release the pawl 81 to the spring 84depends upon the resistance of the resistor 79, and this resistance ofcourse is determined by the lighting conditions. The photosensitiveresistor 79 is a conventional resistor of this type which provides arelatively small resistance at large light intensities and a relativelygreat resistance at low light intensities. The capacitor 79a is chargedwhile the switch 78 is closed and after opening of the switch dischargesthrough the relay 80 and the resistor 79. Therefore, at great lightintensities when the resistance is small the discharge of the capacitortakes place very quickly and the relay 80 releases the lever 81 in arelatively short time so that a short exposure time is produced.

When the relay 80 releases the pawl 81 the spring 84 returns it intoengagement with the stop 85. Now the trailing ring 51 is released forreturn by spring 60 to its rest position.

Thus, with this embodiment the electrical retarding means is capable ofproviding different exposure times and apertures in the same way as themechanical retarding means of FIG. 1.

When the operator releases the lever 67, the spring 74 returns it to itsrest position in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow 1,and at this time the swing lever 72 can turn past the pin 75 since thespring 73 yields at this time and returns the lever 72 to itsillustrated position relative to the lever 67 as soon as the lever 72moves beyond the pin 75.

The shutter of FIG. 5 is identical with that of FIG. 4, the onlydifference being that the shutter of FIG. 5 can be retained in itscocked position and for this purpose the structure for cocking andreleasing the shutter and for retarding the trailing ring 51 isdifferent from that of FIG. 4. Thus, a rotary shaft 90, which is turnedby the operator in connection with advance of the next film frame intoposition to be exposed, fixedly carries a cocking lever 91 which engagesthe pin 75 of the leading ring 50 to cock the shutter when the shaft isturned in the direction of the arrow k. A spring 92 urges the lever 91and the shaft 90 to a rest position where the lever 91 engages thestationary stop member 93.

The leading ring 50 of FIG. 5 carries a projection 94 which has a notch94a for receiving the free end of the release lever 95 which is urged bya spring 96 in the direction of the arrow h against a stationary stopmember 97. The release lever 95 is fixed to a shaft 98 which can beturned by the operator in a direction opposite to that indicated by thearrow h.

In this embodiment, the retarding means for the leading ring 50 is inthe form of a rotary mass. Thus, in this case the pinion 62 is coaxiallyfixed with the rotary mass 99, this pinion 62 meshing with the teeth 61of the ring 50 in the same way as in the embodiment of FIG. 4. Insteadof this particular type of retarding means it is possible to use otherknown retarding structures such as, for example, a pneumatic retardingmechanism.

The electrical retarding means for the trailing ring 51 of FIG. 5includes the electrical circuit 100 in which the source 101, the switch102, the relay 103, a second switch 104, and a photosensitive resistorare connected in series. The switch 102 is a normally closed switchcapable of being opened by the projection 94 of the ring 50. The switch104, on the other hand, is a normally open switch capable of beingclosed by the arm 106:: of a pawl 106. This pawl 106 is turnablysupported by a stationary pin 107 and is urged by a spring 108 intoengagement with the stationary stop 109 as Well as into engagement withthe shoulder 110 of the trailing ring 51. Thus, when the arm 106b snapsbehind the shoulder 110, the arm 106a will move to the stop 109 andclose the switch 104.

The structure is shown in FIG. 5 in its cocked position. :In order tomake an exposure the operator will turn the release lever 95 in adirection opposite to that indicated by the arrow h, so that theprojection 94 of the leading ring 50 is released and now the spring 55can start to return the leading ring 50 in the direction of the arrow eback toward its rest position. The entire return movement of the leadingring 50 is however uniformly retarded by th retarding means 62, 99. Atthe beginning of the return movement of the leading ring 50, theprojection 94 moves away from the switch 102 which therefore closes.Since the switch 104 is also closed at this time, current flows throughthe circuit 100-.

The relay 103 will attract the armature 106a in the direction of thearrow 1' toward the coil of the relay after a time interval which isdetermined by the magnitude of the resistance provided by thephotosensitive resistor 105, so that in this way the release of thetrailing ring 51 is determined by the lighting conditions. The movementof the arm 106k of the pawl 106 away from the shoulder 109' of thetrailing ring 51 permits the spring 60' to return the projection 59 intoengagement with the projection 56 without any substantial resistance tothe turning of the ring 51 at this time. The shutter blades willtherefore return to their closed position, and with this construction itis apparent that the light intensity determines not only the exposuretime but also the size of the exposure aperture.

In order to again cock the shutter of FIG. 5, the operator turns thecocking lever 91 in the direction of the arrow k. The lever 91 engagesthe pin 75 of the ring 50 so as to turn the latter together with thering 51 in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow e, untilthe release lever 95 is again received in the notch 940. Of course, atthe end of the cooking of the shutter the switch 102 is again opened andof course the switch 104 is closed.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the specific retardingstructures described above and shown in the drawing. Thus, otherelectrical circuits can be used to accomplish the same results as thoseachieved by the disclosed electrical retarding structures of FIGS. 4 and5.

Furthermore, instead of the mechanical retarding means 22-26 of FIG. 1,it is possible to use a pneumatic retarding means capable of beingautomatically regulated in accordance with the lighting conditions.Thus, with such a construction the moving coil of the galvanometer willcontrol the extent to which a cylinder of the pneumatic retardingstructure is covered. The cover of the cylinder can be turned by themoving coil to a position providing a discharge opening for the cylinderwhich is of a larger or smaller size depending upon the angular positionof the moving coil, so that the resistance to the movement of a pistonin the cylinder can be regulated, and it is this piston which isdisplaced by the trailing ring until the piston reaches a positionreleasing the trailing ring for substantially unrestrained movementuntil its projection 14 engages the projection 12 of the leading ring.Thus, since the angular position of the moving coil of such an assemblyis automatically determined by the lighting conditions, this pneumaticretarding means will accurately determine the extent of exposure inaccordance With the lighting conditions.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofcamera differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied inshutters, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, sincevarious modifications and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a camera, in combination, a plurality of shutter blades; coaxialleading and trailing shutter ring means operatively connected to saidshutter blades for opening and closing the latter, said leading ringmeans returning from a cocked position to a rest position in advance ofsaid trailing ring means for opening the shutter blades to make anexposure, the trailing ring means upon following the leading ring meansto its rest position returning the blades to their closed position;first retard means operatively connected to said leading ring means forretarding the return thereof to rest position during the entire returnmovement of said leading ring means; adjustable second retard meansoperatively connected to said trailing ring means for retarding therelease thereof, for return from a cocked to a rest position, to anextent which is adjustable for releasing said trailing means before, at,or after the end of the return movement of said leading ring means; andspring means urging said trailing ring means to said rest positionthereof, said spring means opposing said second retard means and saidsecond retard means when reaching a given release position, to whichsaid second retard means is displayed by the force of said spring means,releasing said trailing ring means for substantially unrestrained returnby said spring means to its rest position.

2. A combined camera shutter and diaphragm, comprising a plurality ofshutter blades; movable leading and trailing shutter operating meansoperatively connected to said shutter blades for opening and closing thelatter, said leading means returning from a first position where theshutter is cocked to a rest position in advance of said trailing meansfor opening the shutter blades to provide a diaphragm opening, thetrailing means upon following the leading means to its rest positionreturning the blades to their closed position; first retard meansoperatively connected to said leading means for retarding the returnthereof to rest position during the entire return movement of saidleading means; and adjustable electrical second retard means operativelyconnected to said trailing means for retarding the release thereof forreturn from a first position where the shutter is cocked to a restposition, said second retard means being constructed and arranged torelease said trailing means to an adjustable extent prior to completionof return movement of said leading means and including a photosensitiveresistor, a relay, and an electrical circuit connected with saidresistor and relay for actuating the latter to release said trailingmeans for return to rest position according to the intensity of lightreaching said resistor, said circuit including a source of current and aswitch which closes said circuit for actuating said relay according tothe intensity of light reaching said resistor, said switch, source ofcurrent and resistor being connected in series and said leading meansmomentarily closing said switch just prior to return of said leadingmeans to rest position so that said switch remains open except for themomentary closing thereof by said leading means, said relay beingconnected in parallel with said resistor and including an armature inthe form of a holding pawl which holds said trailing means againstreturn to rest position in response to closing of said switch, saidrelay releasing said pawl for movement away from said trailing meansduring progressive deenergizing of said relay commencing with theopening of said switch, the time required for said relay to bedeenergized sufiiciently to release said pawl being determined by theresistance of said resistor.

3. A combined camera shutter and diaphragm, comprising a plurality ofshutter blades; movable leading and trailing shutter operating meansoperatively connected to said shutter blades for opening and closing thelatter, said leading means returning from a first position where theshutter is cocked to a res-t position in advance of said trailing meansfor opening the shutter blades to provide a diaphragm opening, thetrailing means upon fol lowing the leading means to its rest positionreturning the blades to their closed position; first retard meansoperatively connected to said leading means for retarding the returnthereof to rest position during the entire return movement of saidleading means; and adjustable electrical second retard means operativelyconnected to said trailing means for retarding the release thereof forreturn from a first position where the shutter is cocked to a restposition, said second retard means being constructed and arranged torelease said trailing means to an adjustable extent prior to completionof return movement of said leading means and including a photosensitiveresistor, a relay, and an electrical circuit connected with saidresistor and relay for actuating the latter to release said trailingmeans for return to rest position according to the intensity of lightreaching said resistor, said circuit including a source of current and aswitch which closes said circuit for actuating said relay according tothe intensity of light reaching said resistor, said source of current,switch, relay and resistor all being connected in series in said circuitand said relay including an armature in the form of a pawl holding saidtrailing means against return to its rest position until said pawl isattracted to a coil of said relay, said switch being closed upondisplacement of said leading means from first position toward restposition and said leading means opening said switch and maintaining itopen until the start of return movement of said leading means, saidcircuit further including a second switch closed by said pawl while thelatter pre vents return of said trailing means to rest position andopened when said pawl is attracted to said coil to release said trailingmeans.

4. In a camera, in combination, a plurality of shutter blades; coaxialleading and trailing shutter ring means operatively connected to saidshutter blades for opening and closing the latter, said leading ringmeans returning from a cocked position to a rest position in advance ofsaid trailing ring means for opening the shutter blades to make anexposure, the trailing ring means upon follow-. ing the leading ringmeans to rest position returning the blades to their closed position;first retard means operatively connected to said leading ring means forretarding the return thereof to rest position during the entire returnmovement of said leading ring means; and adjustable second retard meansoperatively connected to said trailing ring means for retarding therelease thereof, for return from a cocked to a rest position, to anextent which is adjustable for releasing said trailing ring meansbefore, at, or after the end of return movement of said leading ringmeans, said second retard means being electrical and including aphotosensitive resistor, a relay, and an electrical circuit connectedwith said resistor and relay and including a source of current and aswitch which closes said circuit for actuating said relay to releasesaid trailing ring means for return to rest position according to theintensity of light reaching said resistor, said switch, source ofcurrent and resistor being connected in series and said leading ringmeans momentarily closing said switch just prior to return of saidleading ring means to rest position so that said switch remains openexcept for the momentary closing thereof by said leading ring means,said relay being connected in parallel with said resistor and includingan armature in the form of a holding pawl which holds said trailing ringmeans against;- return to rest position in response to closing of saidswitch and said relay releasing said pawl for movement away from saidtrailing ring means during progressive deenergizing of said relaycommencing with the opening of said switch, the time required for saidrelay to be de-. energized sufiiciently to release said pawl beingdetermined by the resistance of said resistor.

5. In a camera, in combination, a plurality of shutter 12 blades;coaxial leading and trailing shutter ring means operatively connected tosaid shutter blades for opening and closing the latter, said leadingring means returning from a cocked position to a rest position inadvance of said trailing ring means for opening the shutter blades tomake an exposure, the trailing ring means upon following the leadingring means to rest position returning the blades to their closedposition; first retard means operatively connected to said leading ringmeans for retarding the return thereof to rest position during theentire return movement of said leading ring means; and adjustable secondretard means operatively connected to said trailing ring means forretarding the release thereof, for return from a cocked to a restposition, to an extent which is adjustable for releasing said trailingring means before, at, or after the end of the return movement of saidleading ring means, said second retard means being electrical andincluding a photosensitive resistor, a relay and an electrical circuitconnected with said resistor and relay and including a source of currentand a switch which closes said circuit for actuating said relay torelease said trailing ring means for return to rest position accordingto the intensity .of light reaching said resistor, said source ofcurrent, switch, relay and resistor all being connected in series insaid circuit and said relay including an armature in the form of a pawlholding said trailing ring means against return to rest position untilsaid pawl is attracted to a coil of said relay, said switch being closedupon displacement of said leading ring means from cocked position towardrest position and said leading ring means opening said switch andmaintaining it open until the start of return movement of said leadingring means, said circuit including a second switch closed by said pawlwhile the latter prevents return of said trailing ring means to restposition and opened when said pawl is attracted to said coil to releasesaid trailing ring means.

6. A combined camera shutter and diaphragm, comprising a plurality ofshutter blades; movable leading and trailing shutter operating meansoperatively connected to said shutter blades for opening and closing thelatter, said leading means returning from a first position where theshutter is cocked to a rest position in advance of said trailing meansfor opening the shutter blades to provide a diaphragm opening whichadmits scene light to an entire film frame, the trailing means uponfollowing the leading means to its rest position returning the blades totheir closed position and at least one of said leading and trailingmeans being turnable between said positions thereof; first retard meansoperatively connected to said leading means for retarding the returnthereof to rest position during the entire return movement of saidleading means; and adjustable second retard means operatively connectedto said trailing means for retarding the release thereof, for returnfrom a first position where the shutter is cocked to a rest position,said second retard means being constructed and arranged to release saidtrailing means to an adjustable extent before the end of return movementof said leading means.

7. A combined camera shutter and diaphragm, comprising a plurality ofshutter blades arranged to provide a central opening; leading andtrailing shutter operating means turnably mounted for turning movementand operatively connected to said shutter blades for opening and closingthe latter, said leading means returning from a first position where theshutter is cocked to a rest position in advance of said trailing meansfor opening the shutter blades to provide a diaphragm opening, thetrailing means upon following the leading means to its rest positionreturning the blades to their closed position; first retard meansoperatively connected to said leading means for retarding the returnthereof to rest position during the entire return movement of saidleading means; and adjustable second retard means operatively connectedto said trailing means for retarding the release thereof, for returnfrom a first position where the shutter is cocked to a rest position,said second retard means being constructed and arranged to release saidtrailing means to an adjustable extent before the end of return movementof said leading means.

8. In a camera as recited in claim 7, said second retard means beingmanually adjustable.

9. In a camera as recited in claim 7, said second retard means beingautomatically adjustable according to the lighting conditions.

10. In a camera as recited in claim 7, said second retard means beingelectrical.

11. In a camera as recited in claim 10, said electrical second retardmeans including a photosensitive resistor, a relay, and an electricalcircuit connected with said resistor and relay for actuating the latterto release said trailing means for return to rest position according tothe intensity of light reaching said resistor.

12. In a camera as recited in claim 11, said circuit including a sourceof current and a switch which closes said circuit for actuating saidrelay according to the intensity of light reaching said resistor.

13. In a camera according to claim 7, further comprising manuallyoperable shutter release means .operatively connected to said firstretard means and to said second retard means for simultaneouslyinitiating retarding of said leading and trailing means.

14. In a combined camera shutter and diaphragm, in combination, leadingand trailing operating means for respectively opening and closing theshutter, each of said operating means being movable between a firstposition in which the shutter is cocked and a second position, at leastone of said operating means being turnable between said positionsthereof; first retard means for retarding the entire movement of saidleading means from first to second position opening the shutter toprovide a diaphragm opening which admits scene light to an entire filmframe; adjustable second retard means for retarding movement of saidtrailing means from first to second position closing the shutter, saidsecond retard means releasing said trailing means for movement fromfirst to second position prior to completion of return movement of saidleading means from first to second position; and means forsimultaneously initiating actuation of both said retard means.

15. In a camera, the combination of a between-the-lens shutter; firstshutter operating means movable from a first position attained bycocking the shutter to a rest position to thereby open the shutter sothat scene light can reach an entire film frame; second shutteroperating means movable from a first position attained by cocking theshutter to a rest position to thereby close the shutter, at least one ofsaid operating means being turnable between said positions thereof;first retard means operatively connected with said first shutteroperating means for retarding the entire movement of said first shutteroperating means to rest position; and electrical second retard meansincluding a photosensitive element, a relay and an electrical circuitconnected with said photosensitive element and relay, said relay beingarranged to release said second shutter operating means for movement torest position with a delay which is a function of the intensity of lightreaching said photosensitive element.

16. In a camera the combination of a between-the-lens shutter; firstshutter operating means movable from a first position attained bycocking the shutter to a rest position to thereby open the shutter;second shutter operating means movable from a first position attained bycocking the shutter to a rest position to thereby close the shutter, atleast one of said shutter operating means being a ring which isrotatable between said positions thereof; first retard means operativelyconnected with said first shutter operating means for retarding theentire movement of said first shutter operating means to rest position;and electrical second retard means including a photosensitive element, arelay and an electrical circuit connected with said photosensitiveelement and relay, said relay being arranged to release said secondshutter operating means for movement to rest position with a delay whichis a function of the intensity of light reaching said photosensitiveelement.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,890,640 6/1959 Noack -633,069,989 12/1962 Kiper 95-63 3,116,670 1/1964 Ball 95-10 3,208,3659/1965 Cooper 95-63 JOHN M. HORAN, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A CAMERA, IN COMBINATION, A PLURALITY OF SHUTTER BLADES; COAXIALLEADING AND TRAILING SHUTTER RING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAIDSHUTTER BLADES FOR OPENING AND CLOSING THE LATTER, SAID LEADING RINGMEANS RETURNING FROM A COCKED POSITION TO A REST POSITION IN ADVANCE OFSAID TRAILING RING MEANS FOR OPENING THE SHUTTER BLADES TO MAKE ANEXPOSURE, THE TRAILING RING MEANS UPON FOLLOWING THE LEADING RING MEANSTO ITS REST POSITION RETURNING THE BLADES TO THEIR CLOSED POSITION;FIRST RETARD MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID LEADING RING MEANS FORRETARDING THE RETURN THEREOF TO REST POSITON DURING THE ENTIRE RETURNMOVEMENT OF SAID LEADING RING MEANS; ADJUSTABLE SECOND RETARD MEANSOPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID TRAILING RING MEANS FOR RETARDING THERELEASE THEREOF, FOR RETURN FROM A COCKED TO A REST POSITON, TO ANEXTENT WHICH IS ADJUSTABLE FOR RELEASING SAID TRAILING MEANS BEFORE, AT,OR AFTER THE END OF THE RETURN MOVEMENT OF SAID LEADING RING MEANS; ANDSPRING MEANS URGING SAID TRAILING RING MEANS TO SAID REST POSITIONTHEREOF, SAID SPRING MEANS OPPOSING SAID SECOND RETARD MEANS AND SAIDSECOND RETARD MEANS WHEN REACHING A GIVEN RELEASE POSITION, TO WHICHSAID SECOND RETARD MEANS IS DISPLAYED BY THE FORCE OF SAID SPRING MEANS,RELEASING SAID TRAILING RING MEANS FOR SUBSTANTIALLY UNRESTRAINED RETURNBY SAID SPRING MEANS TO ITS REST POSITION.